The Princess Bride Deluxe Edition Hc: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure

Years ago, I was asked one of those silly questions that readers ask each other: “If you could be any literary character, who would you be?” Without hesitation, I replied, “Princess Buttercup.” After all, what woman in her right mind wouldn’t crave a life of true love and high adventure? I have no recollection of when I first read William Goldman’s beloved novel, but I can tell you that in the decades since, I’ve read the book and seen the film at least a dozen times. It is very high on my list of all-time favorites. I never grow tired of it. I can pick this book up and start reading on any page and get sucked in immediately. And as soon as I’ve finished it, I could easily start reading from page one all over again. It is a case of true love. Now, you have to have been living under a rock for the past few decades not to have an idea of what this tale is about. It’s the story of the beautiful milkmaid Buttercup and her love for the dashing farm boy Westley and all they go through in order to be together. Additionally, the novel uses the author’s life as a framing device. In what is purported to be a series of forwards and abridger’s notes, Goldman reflects on his personal history with “S. Morgenstern’s Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure.” He speaks candidly (and entirely fictitiously) of his family life, and perhaps somewhat less fictitiously of his professional life. And he tells the story of how his father first read him the tale when he was ten years old. When he asked if there were any sports in the book, the man replied: “Fencing. Fighting. Torture. Poison. True love. Hate. Revenge. Giants. Hunters. Bad men. Good men. Beautiful ladies. Snakes. Spiders. Beasts of all natures and descriptions. Pain. Death. Brave men. Coward men. Strongest men. Chases. Escapes. Lies. Truths. Passion. Miracles.” I ask you, what more could a reader possibly want? The one thing Goldman forgot to list is humor. What has made this tale such a classic, in addition to the fact that it contains one of the five greatest kisses of all time, is the novel’s adroit humor. It ranges from sophisticated to glib to farcical, and it never fails to make me smile. Because of the brilliant film adaptation (also written by Goldman), many of the novel’s lines and passages have become cultural touchstones. Have you ever cried, “Inconceivable!” in a Wally Shawn lisp? Mandy Patinkin doesn’t go a day without someone coming up to him and proclaiming, “My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die!” Does the phrase “As you wish.” just give you chills? These characters are indelible, and Mr. Goldman’s humor has held up for 40 years. I believe people still be chuckling over this novel a hundred years from now. Shakespeare, Jane Austen, P.G. Wodehouse—some humor is simply timeless. Clearly, I love a feel-good story, but most suffer from diminishing returns. Maybe it was awesome the first time you read it, pretty good the second, and less so on successive reads. Not so, The Princess Bride. If anything, I think my considerable affection for this novel grows with each successive reading. And I’m still spotting new things! On this read, for the first time, I spotted the fake blurbs at the front of the Kindle edition. (One was from “Shog Bongiorno, professor emeritus, Mid-European Literature, Columbia University,” LOL.) Twenty-fifth and thirtieth anniversary editions of The Princess Bride have contained new forwards that continue the story that Goldman uses as the novel’s framing device. And after the novel’s end, there is a lengthy introduction to a substantial sample of the novel’s fictitious sequel, Buttercup’s Baby. I’ve read it all except for Buttercup’s Baby. I can only read that for the first time once, and I’m just not ready to experience it yet. Besides, maybe one day Mr. Goldman will elbow out Stephen King for the job and will finish the abridgement of the sequel. Hope springs eternal. And isn’t that the nature of true love?

This was a sentimental gift for my partner! I absolutely love the design on the side and knew I had to buy it when I saw it! I saved up and got it for them as a late Christmas gift! We don’t have spot for it just yet but will be putting it on a shelf when able! The quality is so great and so beautiful and of course the book is amazing in every way as well!

it was inconceivable that anything could top my favorite movie. Always dreading the comparison,I usually opted for the book. The film was a true gem, but the book was something besides magical. don’t wait for the spoiler! Read it immediately! (As you wish)

William Goldman's The Princess Bride is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good laugh, a thrilling adventure, and a touch of romance. While the cover art might not be the most inspiring (seriously, that photoshopped image…), don't let it deter you from this fantastic story! Here's why I loved it: Witty and Engaging Narrative: Goldman's writing is pure gold (pun intended). The story is framed as a grandson listening to his grandfather read a fantastical tale. Goldman's witty commentary and humorous asides throughout the story add a layer of entertainment that keeps you engaged. Unforgettable Characters: From the brave Westley (you know, "farm boy" Westley) to the cunning mastermind Vizzini ("Inconceivable!") and the gentle giant Fezzik, each character is unique and memorable. You'll find yourself rooting for the good guys (and maybe even a few bad guys) throughout their journey. Action-Packed Adventure: The story is full of thrilling sword fights, daring escapes, and perilous situations. It's a classic adventure tale with a healthy dose of humor thrown in for good measure. A Timeless Tale: Whether you're a young adult or an adult young at heart, The Princess Bride offers something for everyone. It's a story about love, friendship, loyalty, and overcoming challenges that resonates with readers of all ages. Bonus: Perfect for Fans of the Movie! Even if you've seen the beloved movie adaptation, the book offers a fresh perspective and even more humor. You'll appreciate the additional details and character backstories that flesh out the world even further. Overall, while the cover art might be a bit lacking, The Princess Bride is a delightful read with something for everyone. So grab a copy, settle in, and prepare to be swept away on a hilarious and heartwarming adventure!

I bought this book as a gift for my granddaughter, who is a huge Princess Bride Fan. I glanced through the book and found that it is made of very high-quality material and will last several lifetimes as she passes it down to her children and on. The images are great, and the font size is easy to read as well.

The cover is so beautiful

La copertina del libro ha Westley/Pirata Roberts su sfondo rosso (flessibile). Arrivato come previsto, in ottime condizioni. Soddisfatta.

This is such an entertaining modern classic that I wonder how I had missed it all these years, despite its cult status as a novel and a film adaptation. In itself, the tale of a young farm boy Westley and his true love, the beautiful and initially haughty Buttercup, is an exciting and gripping coming-of-age adventure story, but it is the metatext holding it together that really wows me. Besides these two very obvious and attractive leads, there is a trio of misfit assassins, the scheming Italian hunchback Vizzini, the lean and mean Spanish swordsman, Inigo, whose facial scars betray a traumatic past and a vengeful spirit, and a powerful giant wrestler Fezzik. Rounding out the cast of colourful characters is the villainous prince, Humperdinck. Straightforward enough, but is it really? Without giving too much away, Goldman positions his novel as an abridged version of a much older text by S. Morgenstern, capturing all its “good parts,” and leaving out the tedious details of the ponderous original. Suffice to say that the reader would miss out on the full genius of the novel if he were to skip the introduction and the commentary (biographical editorial asides that seem to tell another story) by Goldman because they are integral to the overall work and act as a framing narrative, but the work is so much more than that. You need to read it to discover it for yourself. Included in this 25th anniversary edition is the first chapter of a purported sequel, “Buttercup’s Baby,” which adds to the intrigue and mythology of the original text, and expands the metafictional universe of Goldman’s work. A wholly satisfying read.

A lire absolument, un très bon moment pour une lecture assez rapide. Je suis bon public, mais c'est un classique à avoir.

Diese Verstümmelung eines Meisterwerks der Weltliteratur ist schwer zu ertragen. Ich hatte das Glück, die Originalfassung zu lesen, als ich unter Professor Bongiorno an der University of Columbia florinische Literaturwissenschaft und Florinistik studierte. Bereits die vollständige englische Übersetzung ist eine stark verfälschende Nachdichtung; doch diese Kurzfassung Goldmans, der sie frecherweise auch noch "the good parts version" untertitelt, schneidet gerade die Stellen heraus, die die Originalfassung so lesenswert machen und das Werk über viele moderne Titel heraushebt (nur als Beispiel: Die gesamte Packszene wurde ersatzlos gestrichen, und durch eine schnöde Nacherzählung in wenigen Sätzen ersetzt! Man stelle sich das vor, die Packszene!). Was bleibt also, nachdem die besten Stellen herausgeschnitten sind? Leider nur eine fantastische, spannende und mitreißende Erzählung, voller Witz und Augenzwinkern. Ich gebe zu, ich habe nach den ersten knapp 100 Seiten stark gezweifelt, ob das noch was wird - zu sehr gebraucht Goldman hier das Stilmittel des Einspruchs und der Anmerkungen des Übersetzers. Doch spätestens ab den Klippen des Wahnsinns zeigt sich, was für ein begnadeter Erzähler Goldman ist, und ab diesem Zeitpunkt lässt einen das Buch nicht mehr los. Westley, Inigo, Fezzik, Rugen, Prinz Humperdinck und Buttercup sind zwar alles Klischees in reinster Form - doch gerade das macht die Geschichte so liebenswert, und jeder kann sich mit einer der Figuren identifizieren (ich persönlich mag Vizzini den Sizilianer am liebsten). Eine wunderbare gestaltete Karte (die, soweit ich das beurteilen kann, auch geografisch 100% korrekt ist) dient sowohl der Orientierung als auch als Handlungszusammenfassung - tolle Idee. Zugegeben, man muss Goldmans Stil mögen, um das Werk wirklich schätzen zu können. Doch ich für meinen Teil bin überzeugt - und harre da voller Erwartung und Ungeduld, bis Stephen King endlich die Zusammenfassung für Morgensterns Fortsetzung, "Buttercup's Baby", fertig hat.